As a Toronto based wood products supplier, we notice a trend in the local market of increased demand for linen texture products.

Linen products offer textile texture in a variety of gray hues.

Linen is a great choice for designers who wish to give a luxurious look to their project.

Popular uses for linen texture are cabinets and shelving units, although other uses are increasing in popularity as well.

What fuels this trend may be a wish to look beyond the wide spread use of white and gray colors and smooth texture and the desire to explore unique and intriguing textures that provide an air of luxury.

Feel free to contact us if you are interested in the new trend for linen texture products and would like to know how you can incorporate linen in your interior design project.

Modern kitchen design

Wooden door panels create a special atmosphere in the kitchen that can not be achieved using other materials.

Many modern kitchens feature clean surfaces with a metallic or a glassy look. Wood panels may not be the average home owner’s choice, but they offer unique features that can not be overlooked.

If you are one of the home owners who are aware of wood’s special appeal, we would like to welcome you and offer you some information and access to a great selection  of cabinet wood doors through our service as one of Toronto’s leading wood products suppliers.

How to choose cabinet wood doors

When choosing wood cabinet doors for your kitchen, you may want to be aware of a few features of wood products. Wood products usually have a unique grain.

Grain is a pattern created by the fibers in a piece of wood. There are different typical pattern for different types of wood. Even two pieces of the same type of wood will each have a distinct grain pattern.

The grain is what makes wood products so special. Each wood product has it own uniqueness, in large part due to its grain.

Another important feature of wood products is the color. Different trees produce lumber with different colors. In some cases, the color of natural wood may change over time, depending on environmental conditions such as light and humidity. This may not necessarily be a negative thing, since some people argue that the color can sometimes “improve” over time. This is an issue that should be discussed with your wood supplier, so you’ll have the right color for your kitchen.

Cabinet door dimensions

Kitchen cabinet doors come in different shapes and sizes. Ask your cabinet wood door supplier if they have the dimensions that you need. At Decotec Inc. we can supply kitchen cabinet doors that are custom made to fit different specifications. Ask us for about the availability of doors that fit desired dimensions or our ability to produce doors of such dimensions.

Earlier this year, the Trump administration raised taxes on Canadian lumber exports to the U.S. by up to 27 percent. The move was seen as harmful for the Canadian lumber industry, especially in provinces that rely heavily on the trade such as British Columbia.

Getting close to an agreement

British Columbia Premier John Horgan Announced yesterday that the two countries are close to reaching an agreement. It is believed that the new agreement will improve the situation that was created by the previous U.S. decision to raise duties on Canadian lumber.

That previous decision came after a coalition of U.S. lumber producers had asked the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission to act in order to reduce Canadian lumber export in to the U.S.

The reason for this request made by the U.S. lumber coalition was that the Canadian government was presumably helping the Canadian lumber industry by unfairly subsidizing and lowering Canadian producers’ cost of production. The coalition of U.S. lumber manufacturers argued that American businesses are hurt because of this unfair competition.

Saving the Canadian lumber industry

Canadian industry representatives and politicians argue that the current situation in which Canadian lumber is taxed at an average of 27 percent is harmful for the industry and that a better arrangement should be found in which Canadian companies will be able to profit and keep their employees. It is important to note that the demand for lumber in the U.S. housing market exceeds local lumber production in the U.S. and Canada was a welcomed partner in lumber trade for many decades.

British Columbia’s premier John Horgan recently met with U.S. officials in an attempt to get better terms in the future lumber trade agreement. Horgan met with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and with Robert Lighthizer U.S. trade secretary who is in charge of negotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). These meetings

Mr. Horgan says that he sees great importance in his attempt to get a better deal as the lumber industry plays an important role in his Province’s economy. British Columbia is responsible for about half of Canada’s softwood lumber.

Resources

News report – lumber trade negotiations

Background on U.S. – Canada lumber dispute

Cabinet doors supplier’s take on Thermofoil cabinet doors

As a supplier of kitchen cabinet doors, we are regularly asked for our opinion of Thermofoil doors.

Thermofoil cabinet doors are very popular among home owners and builders for good reasons.

The artificial material was designed to serve certain purposes that many would find important.

The manufacturing process enables the production of large quantities of Thermofoil products at a short time and at a relatively low cost and many cabinet door suppliers will tell you that availability of proper size Thermofoil doors is usually not an issue.

So what is Thermofoil and how to decide whether or not it’s good for your kitchen?

How does a Thermofoil door made?

Thermofoil cabinet doors are made by attaching vinyl sheets on top of MDF sheets, using pressure and vacuum and some glue-like materials to keep the different layers attached.

The vinyl cover adds some desirable qualities to the MDF. It makes the new door more durable and water resistant. It can be painted much more easily than the original MDF. It has a clean look that is appealing to many home owners today.

The advantages and Disadvantages of Thermofoil cabinet doors

Cabinet door suppliers who recommend their Thermofoil doors will usually refer to it’s lower price point, its solid, smooth surface and the fact that it is easier to clean Thermofoil doors than doors made of most other materials.

As an experienced cabinet door supplier, we can add a few points to that list.

The first point is very subjective: The clean and smooth surfaces of this product are appealing to some home owners more than they are to others. If you like this style, you will probably like it the first moment you’ll see it. The other advantage is its availability.

Since Thermofoil doors are manufactured in a factory, large quantities can be produced in a relatively short time. Many different sizes are available as well.

This can be an advantage over cabinet doors that are made from natural wood, that may sometimes be in short supply due to natural causes or logistic causes.

To learn more contact your Thermofoil cabinet doors supplier at Decotec Inc.

Resources:

Should you buy Thermofoil cabinet doors?

Popular cabinet doors styles

Many of our clients are looking for the right type of wood for their next project. They contact us because they know that as a wood supplier we have a large selection of different wood types. The challenge is to know which is the right one for them.

Choosing the Right Kind of Wood

Your choice of wood is critical for the success of your project. Different types of wood have different qualities that will determine thing like :

• The way you can work with the wood,
• How the end result will look,
• How resilient it will be,
• How suitable for the environment where it is eventually placed

When looking at a supplier’s warehouse or a hardware store, look for lumber that was not coated or over treated. When looking at the piece of lumber you should be able to see the natural features of the wood.

The kind of lumber that you are looking for is called dimensional. It was cut at a mill and made flat on all its sides. This lumber is called by its measurements of thickness, width and length, for example 2X4X6 which means that it is 2 inches thick, 4 inches wide and 6 feet long.

Knowing the Actual Dimensions

When planning your project you should be aware of the way lumber dimensions are measured in the wood industry. When you buy a 2X4 piece of lumber, the actual dimensions will be 1.5 inches by 3.5 inches. Any stated size above 2 inches represents an actual size that is half an inch less, so 2 will actually be 1.5 and 3 is 2.5.  One inch stated represents 0.75 inch. So a 1X2 piece is actually 0.75 inch thick and 1.5 inch wide.

The Right Wood for You

Many experts recommend using softwood for a do-it-yourself woodworking project. Softwoods are easier to work with. They are softer, lighter and easier to bend, which may help in case you need to apply a little force to make all pieces fit in to their place.

Try to determine the level of moisture before you choose a certain piece of lumber. You can know the amount of moisture by using a special tool that measures it or by feeling its weight – if you already have some experience with wood. If there is too much moisture in your wood – the lumber will change as it dries over time, which can damage to your project. Choose lumber with low levels of moisture – around 10 percent or below.

Look for knots and don’t choose a piece that has too many of them. If there is a knot, pay attention to the condition of the wood around it. Look for any sign of weakening or warping.

Place the lumber on the ground or attach it to a straight object in order to see how straight it is. Choose only pieces that are not bent or twisted in any way. Carefully watch all sides of the lumber and look for signs of warping or twisting. Also, make sure that your lumber is solid with no signs of small cracks.

For more information about how to choose the right wood for your project, contact an experienced wood supplier like Decotec Inc.

As a Toronto wood supplier, Decotec Inc. is part of the wood and lumber industry in Canada.

A recent development that is affecting the industry is connected to U.S. duties imposed on imported wood products that are coming to the U.S. from Canada.

The U.S. administration has recently increased taxes on such products by 6.87 percent, increasing the total taxation on the products to about 27 percent. The increase is seen as another attempt to protect U.S. interests while unfairly hurting the Canadian lumber industry.

Canada is the largest trade partner of the U.S. with 27 percent of U.S. lumber coming from Canada. Experts suspect that U.S. government’s latest move reflects pressure coming  from the U.S. lumber industry in response to Canada’s support of the Canadian lumber industry. The Canadian $867 million government support to the industry may be seen as a threat to U.S. competitors who decided to pressure their own government in return.

Spokespeople from various Canadian companies and organizations talked harshly about the news, calling in unjustified and unfair.

Meanwhile, prices of wood products in Canada remain reasonable, making it relatively easy to fund interior design, construction and new furniture production.

Contact your local wood supplier for more advice on wood product supply.

Oak wood is in high demand all across North America for a variety of uses in construction, home design and in the furniture industry. Many in these industries appreciate well known qualities of Oak wood such as its unique grain patterns, color, and durability.

As a wood supplier, Decotec Inc. is supplying large quantities of Oak to clients in the above mentioned industries. We find it interesting to point out a few other, less known uses.

Oak wood has some less known qualities and uses

Oak has a long and prestigious history. Its dense consistency made it a preferred choice for ship builders and it was used by vikings for this purpose. Its unique grain made it appealing to ancient interior designers, and it was used inside historical buildings such as England’s House of Commons. Oak was used for war ships in Europe and for construction.

Another use that is not well known is in the wine industry. A long list of alcoholic beverages are made and preserved in Oak wood barrels. The wood affects different features of the wine such as color and aroma. Similarly, the wood is used for smoking foods such as cheese, meat and fish, adding its unique flavor.

In the musical instruments industry, Oak wood is used for making high quality drums. Its high density causes the sound to be louder and clearer comparing to drums made from other woods.

Another less known use of Oak is in wine bottles corks. Corks are made from the bark of the tree.

Sources

Wikipedia

Decotec Inc. is a supplier of wood products that include domestic and exotic wood products.

What exactly is exotic wood?

There is no formal definition. The term exotic wood usually refers to wood originated from a country outside of North America or Europe. This wood may also come from trees that don’t grown in large numbers, as opposed to the North American forestry industry. This can even be wood from a tree that does grow in North America but in this specific case the wood came from outside of North America or Europe.

Why do many people look for exotic wood products?

Many home owners, designers and builders are attracted to exotic wood products because of several reasons:

1. Exotic wood is sometimes considered to be harder than domestic (North American) wood. This is of course a generalization and does not apply in every single case. If you are looking for the hardest version of your preferred wood you should check to see if this is really the case.
2. Some trees are not common in North America or don’t even grow here at all. If you are interested in a grain and color of a tree that is not common here, you may have to buy an import from a more “exotic” place.

Choosing between exotic and domestic wood

In most situations, what matters most when choosing wood type for your project is the features of the wood and the price. We would advise that you first find a few grains and colors that you like and then check their availability. The fact that the wood may be exotic or domestic may affect the price, so check with your wood supplier and decide. You will also need to ensure that the wood that you’d like to use actually meets the requirements of your project. For example, it may need to be strong enough to carry a certain weight, withstand certain temperatures and humidity and so on.

Resources

Check this link for a list of wood types and their specifications

Exotic wood definition 

As a wood supplier in the greater Toronto area, Decotec Inc is proud to be part of the Canadian wood industry with its diverse historical roots and its immense influence on the Canadian economy.

The early history of Canada’s wood industry

Early European settlers started using wood for construction as early as the 11th century. The quantities of lumber production has increased continuously as the number of settlers has increased over the next centuries.

The 19th century saw an increased demand for wood products fueled by Napoleon’s wars in Europe and military building efforts of other European nations. The British empire was cut off by the French from its traditional wood suppliers in Europe and turned to Canada – a land covered by huge forests.

Work was done mainly in the winter because it was easier to cut trees and transfer the lumber on icy ground. Another reason was that many workers were out of work during the winter and employers could pay less and still attract enough workers.

The demand for wood caused the development of an industry that required large capital investment in equipment and man power, and caused the development of new settlements and infrastructure. Since then, the logging industry never stopped evolving and became one of Canada’s major industries.

Canada’s wood industry today

Canadian forests are covering about 42 percent of Canada’s land. The Canadian forestry industry supplies mainly three types of trees: Spurce, Poplar and Pine. Canada is the world’s second wood products exporter. In 2015 Canada exported more than 21.5 billion dollars worth of wood products, up from $20.7 billion in 2014 and $19 billion in 2013.  The U.S. is the largest trading partner for wood products, more than China and Japan (numbers 2 and 3 on the list).  Most forestry work is done in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.

Environmental concerns such as deforestation are addressed by modern management practices forestry and federal regulations. See the following video for more information on the industry:

Resources:

Wikipedia

Statistics Canada

Canadian museum of history

Historica Canada

What is the difference between chipboard, compact laminate, feelwood, laminate, melamine, MFC and MDF?

Check out this glossary of key terms in the wood industry

Chipboard – a type of low density paperboard of thickness 0.15 millimeter (0.006 inch) or more, made from reclaimed paper stock. They are made by adhering wood particles together with an adhesive, under heat and pressure. This creates a rigid board with a relatively smooth surface.

Compact laminate – also known as solid phenolic, is a paper fiber-based solid surface material that is warmer to the touch than typical acrylic or polyester materials.

It is constructed with layers of Kraft paper, dipped in resin and dried. These layers are then sandwiched between laminated top and bottom sheets, compressed and baked. A process called polymerisation melds them all together creating a solid- core panel that becomes an extra strong and  durable laminate. Compact laminate is typically black or brown in colour. Some manufacturers offer a wider variety of core colours. Compact laminate edges can be machined to a smoothness exceeding that of solid surface material.

Feelwood  – represents a synchronized texture in which the panel texture changes according to the wood grain, just like in real wood. EGGER is the first in the world to offer synchronised pore decors on a compact laminate.

The Feelwood decors use the latest technology to align grain pattern with the surface texture of the board. These woodgrain decors take a step closer to resembling real wood and create an even more authentic finish. The Feelwood range can offer benefits which are not available when using real wood. Panels can be replaced without the fear that they will not complement the remaining furniture or panelling. Feelwood is also of higher resistance and durability than real wood.

Laminate –  is a decorative laminate based on curable resins. The laminate is constructed by fusing multiple layer and comprise of melamine resin impregenated decor paper and several phenolic resin impregenated core layers.

Melamine – is an engineered wood product which is then covered  with a resin and paper finish that can be manufactured to embody a variety of colours and styles. Melamine is typically used for cabinetry in kitchens, bathrooms and other areas throughout the home.

MFC – stands for Melamine Faces Chipboards. Many office furnitures are manufactured with this material. There are a number of different levels of thicknesses, but generally the industry standard is 25mm thick.  

It is made from resin coated particles of softwood. The particles are evenly spread over a flat plate and heat bonded together under high pressure. The melamine face refers to the decorative finish found on either side of the chipboard, which is often white in colour. Yet it also comes in a multitude of colours and different textured wood grains which range from sheen, Matt and gloss.

The quality of the chipboard primarily relies  on the density of the board. Many domestic furniture uses low density board, which is light in weight, whereas many  commercial grade furnitures  are made of a dense board – as it stops flexing and bending. The finished chipboard is then cut to shape and size, edged with a banding machine to protect the edges. These panels can then be used to make furniture

MDF – known as medium density fiberboard. It is an engineered wood product made by breaking down hardwood or softwood residuals into wood fibers, often in a defibrator. Applying high pressure and temperature, the woodfibers are then melded with a wax and a resin binder, and forming panels. It is generally denser than plywood. It is made up of separated fibres, but can be used as a building material similar in application to plywood. It is more durable and denser than particle board.

MDF is a very versatile building material that can be used in a variety of applications. This includes making cabinets and mouldings. MDF’s characteristics include being smooth and resistance to warping.

Decotec is a distributor of Egger wood products in Canada. We supply superior quality European decorative panels, specializing in textured, high gloss, and super matte surfaces. Decotec is committed to offer innovative products, and to form new trends in the design & woodworking industries.

If you have any questions or inquires, we will be happy to assist you.

We are located in the GTA.

Our address is: